Jeffrey E. Schmidt

Jeff Schmidt recently retired from Defense Acquisition University after 10 years of teaching and consulting. He teaches The FAR Bootcamp® and the Source Selection Bootcamp®. He served as the Director, Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAP) for DAU West Region from 2015-2022. Jeff is a recognized subject matter expert across a multi-functional spectrum to include Contracting, Acquisitions and Program Management. He is also a certified Executive Coach with expertise in leadership development and critical thinking. Jeff was an embed with the Defense Health Agency Component Acquisition Executive from 2020-2022. He assisted in strategic initiatives and program execution to improve Acquisitions across the agency.

Jeff is a retired Air Force Colonel with over 30 years of successful leadership in DoD and private industry in implementation of strategic planning, supply chain, program management, policy formulation, and workforce development for acquisition organizations. He has acquisition policy and program execution expertise at Major Command, Air Force, Joint, and Office of Secretary of Defense levels. He was Director of Contracting at Headquarters level (Air Force Research Laboratory) and the largest Air Force Acquisition Center (Aeronautical Systems Center). He was also deployed as the Principal Assistant Responsible for Contracting - Afghanistan. Jeff ran his own consulting firm for several years.

Professional recognition includes Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Outstanding Contracting Officer; Air Force (1997), Air Combat Command (1997), United States Air Forces Europe (1987) and Outstanding Contracting Unit; Air Combat Command (1999), United States Air Forces Europe (1987,1988)

Jeff holds a BA in Political Science from California Polytechnic State University, an MS in International Relations, Troy State University, and completed/taught the Program Manager and Executive Program Manger’s Course, Defense Systems Management College.